By Alex Ibeh
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Mrs Ruby Emele has described the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma as a God sent to the people of the State.
Emele who stated this on Saturday 7th February, 2026 during the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee marking 50 years of the State existence from its creation in 1976.
In the last couple of days, Imo State was agog with activities in commemoration of the 50 years anniversary, an occasion with historical significance.
The grand finale held at Government House Owerri, Imo State was a roll call of dignitaries across the Country.
The Commissioner further hinted that the Governor has achieved a huge infrastructural revolution in the last six years of his administration, adding that he has also put Imo State on the path of sustainable development, with a strengthened economy.
Emele recalled the Economic Summit held in the State last December, saying that it exposed the State to the global map. She also pointed out that Uzodimma has added much value to the State through Infrastructure and human capital Development.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, congratulated the State on its 50th anniversary, praising its contributions to Nigeria’s political, cultural, and intellectual life.
He hailed Governor Hope Uzodimma as a “game-changing revolutionary in Imo’s modern political history” whose leadership ensures that “governance is not theatre, but duty.”
Shettima highlighted the state’s achievements in education, Nollywood, agriculture, and technology, noting that “Imo’s skill, human capital, and institutional strength remain strategic assets for long-term economic leadership.” He urged the state to build on these foundations, saying the Golden jubilee should inspire “unity, innovation, and service-driven policy” for the next 50 years.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, and a former Common-Wealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, described Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as an “infrastructure governor,” citing his administration’s impact across key sectors of the state.
He pointed out that the Governor had earned the title through investments in roads, transportation, agriculture, finance, and other critical areas.“The sobriquet of ‘infrastructure governor’ attached to Governor Hope Uzodimma is well understood and well deserved,” Anyaoku said, adding that the administration is leaving “an admirable legacy” in the state.
He noted that Imo State, under Uzodimma’s leadership, is making meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.
The elder statesman, however, expressed concern over Nigeria’s political and security challenges, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation of democracy.“National elections constitute a fundamental basis of democracy,” he said, urging the National Assembly to reconsider opposition to the electronic transmission of election results.
Anyaoku also commended the Imo State Government for organizing the golden jubilee, noting that the celebration would feature the formal launch of Imo @ 50 by the governor and the presentation of special awards to deserving individuals.
He congratulated Uzodimma for leading Imo State to what he described as an enviable position and expressed hope for sustained progress in the coming years.
The high points of the event were the presentation of symbolic cheques of N20 million,N 10 million and N5 million naira respectively to the winner and runners up of the Imo @50 quiz Competition; the conferment of awards of Golden Star Governor of Imo State (GSGI) on the first civilian Governor of old Imo State, late Chief Sam Mbakwe and the sitting Governor Hope Uzodimma; the Grand Service Star of Imo State (GSSI) went to former Governors and some Distinguished Imo sons and daughters. Other awards were Distinguished Star of Imo State (DSI), Art and Culture Star of Imo State (ACSI), Star of Innovation Award (SIA) and Star of Youth Leadership (SYL).
The event was graced by the Governors of Borno, Ekiti, Kogi and Taraba States; the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and other APC National and State working committee, members of the National Assembly, Speaker Imo State House of Assembly and members, traditional rulers from Imo and other States, members of the clergy, captains of industry, members of the Imo State Executive Council, stakeholders and friends of Imo State.
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